Washington - US officials are slated to travel to Pakistan for negotiations with Iran, according to statements from President Donald Trump. This development follows a period of heightened tension and conflicting reports concerning the Strait of Hormuz and a recent ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Trump announced Sunday that US representatives are traveling to Islamabad, Pakistan, for talks with Iran. He accused Tehran of violating a ceasefire agreement in the Strait of Hormuz. An Iranian delegation is expected to arrive in Pakistan on Tuesday for these discussions, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. However, Iran has not officially confirmed the talks.
Reports indicate that Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, with the British military confirming the incident. This event occurred as the Strait’s status remained a point of contention, with Iran's military initially stating it had "returned to its previous state" of closure, less than a day after it was declared open.
Read More: Iran rejects new talks over US port blockade
In a separate incident, the United States reported forcibly seizing an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to bypass a naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz. This interception marks the first such action since the blockade of Iranian ports commenced last week. Iranian officials had previously maintained that ships would not pass while the blockade remained in effect.
The prospect of these US-Iran negotiations comes in the wake of a 10-day truce between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, which took hold on Friday. Trump had previously stated that Israel would cease bombing Lebanon as a condition for the resumption of US-Iran talks, and that the US could work with Iran to remove its enriched uranium.
Background discussions regarding future talks with Iran have been ongoing, though no definitive schedule had been set until Trump's recent announcement. Pakistani mediators have reportedly been active in arranging potential direct negotiations in the coming days, following Iran's receipt of new proposals from the United States.
Read More: US Seizes Iranian Ship Touska Near Strait of Hormuz Sunday
